Battery Control System Using Optical Wake-Up Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery system control systems face issues with energy consumption and reliability due to wire-based communication, which is prone to electromagnetic disturbances and leads to inefficient wake-up operations in light-based communication systems, resulting in increased power consumption and reduced battery lifetime.
Innovation Solution
A control system utilizing light-based communication between a master and slave control units, where the master unit includes a light source and transmission controller, and the slave unit has a photo-sensitive element that outputs a wake-up signal to connect the receiver circuit to a power supply node, allowing for a low-energy wake-up process and reducing power consumption during sleep mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wire-based communication is used for control units, then communication reliability is improved, but electromagnetic disturbances and inefficient wake-up operations increase power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wire-based electromagnetic communication with light-based optical communication. The master control unit uses an LED to transmit wake-up signals optically to slave control units, eliminating the need for physical wire connections and reducing electromagnetic interference while lowering power consumption during wake-up operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the communication function into two distinct parts: a always-on photo-sensitive element for wake-up detection and a separate receiver circuit for normal data communication. This segmentation allows the slave control units to remain in low-power sleep mode while maintaining the ability to be woken up efficiently through optical signals
2Use of energy by moving object
If light-based communication is used for wake-up signals, then power consumption is reduced, but wake-up reliability is worsened due to inefficient wake-up operations
Solution Approach 1:
The slave control units perform preliminary action by continuously monitoring for optical wake-up signals through the photo-sensitive element even while in sleep mode. This allows them to be ready to wake up immediately upon receiving the optical signal without requiring full power operation, thus maintaining reliability while reducing power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary wake-up unit that receives optical signals from the master and triggers the wake-up process. This intermediary layer ensures reliable wake-up activation through light-based communication while keeping the main receiver circuit powered down during sleep mode
3Speed
If receiver circuit is always connected to power supply, then communication responsiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases during sleep mode
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management where the receiver circuit's power connection is dynamically controlled. During sleep mode, the receiver circuit is disconnected from the power supply to save energy, while the photo-sensitive element remains active. Upon receiving an optical wake-up signal, the receiver circuit is dynamically connected to power, enabling immediate responsive communication without continuous power consumption
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables efficient transition from sleep to normal operation mode with minimal power consumption, reducing energy losses and extending battery life by decoupling wake-up functions from normal operation and using a separate wake-up unit for low-energy wake-up signals.
Implementation Method 1
the master control unit comprises a light source and a transmission controller
Implementation Method 2
the at least one slave control unit comprises a photo-sensitive element that is configured to receive light signals emitted by the light source
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5(B)
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The present invention refers to a control system (60) for a battery system (50) that comprises a master control unit (61) and at least one slave control unit (70) which are configured to perform light-based communication with each other. The master control unit (61) comprises a light source (62) and a transmission controller (63) configured to selectively operate the light source (62). The at least one slave control unit (70) comprises a photo-sensitive element (71), a wake-up unit (72), a power supply node (73), and a receiver circuit (74). Therein the photo-sensitive element (71) is configured to receive light signals emitted by the light source (62) and, in response to receiving a wake-up light signal, to output a wake-up signal to the wake-up unit (72). Further, the wake-up unit (72) is configured to connect the receiver circuit (74) to the power supply node (73) or to the photo-sensitive element (71) in response to receiving the wake-up signal. The receiver circuit (74), while being connected to the power supply node (73) and the photo-sensitive element (71) is configured to receive an operation voltage from the power supply node (73) and to receive reception signals from the photo-sensitive element (71). The present invention also refers to a battery system (50) with such control system (60) and to a wake-up method for such control system (60).